Nichiren 7 statue

True Bodhisattva of the Mapo Ages.

Champion of the Lotus Sutra; teachings of the Shakyamuni Buddha, as the supreme path to enlightenment in 13th century Japan. Essential elements are faith, practice, and study.

Nichiren Shonin was a religious reformer of the Kamakura era of Buddhism in Japan. He was considered by himself and most of Nichiren Buddhists as the votary of Jogyo Bodhisattva who promised the Eternal Buddha to spread the Lotus Sutra during the Latter day of the Law, "Mappo."

His chosen name means "Sun" (Nichi) and "Lotus" (Ren). He distilled the essence of the Lotus Sutra, in the form of the chant, "Namu Myoho Renge Kyo" as the essential teaching of the Eternal Buddha. The basic elements of Nichiren's schools are faith, practice and study.